Tips for not packing on those extra hoilday pounds

SELF DISCIPLINE!

 It's the Monday before Christmas and I'm sure you are all so excited to spend time with your loved ones! I know I am! However I know you're NOT looking forward to those 10-12lbs that the holiday usually packs on. 

Here are some simple tips so that you can enjoy that Christmas Cheer without that weight gain fear!

Never Arrive Hungry

Try to have a nutritious snack beforehand, a protein bar is a great on the go snack to grab. If you do arrive hungry, drink some water to fill up before filling your plate.

Divert Your Attention

Don't look at the party as just a food event, enjoy your friends' company or dancing. Focus on something other than food.

Pace Yourself

Have you ever tried telling yourself you'll only eat during the first half hour of a party? If you cram in as much as you can in half an hour, you chew faster. Chewing more slowly will fill you up with less food.

Try putting your fork down between every bite. This puts you in control.

Outsmart the Buffet

When dinner is served buffet-style, use the smallest plate available and don't stack your food; limit your helpings to a single story. Go for the simplest foods on the buffet. Fresh fruits and vegetables and shrimp cocktail are good choices. Watch out for sauces and dips.

Limit Alcohol

Avoid drinking too much alcohol at holiday parties. It's not just about calories but about controls. If you drink a lot you, won't have as much control over what you eat.

If you feel out of place without a drink try sipping water or club soda, "so you have something to carry', like everyone else.

Be Choosy About Sweets

When it comes to dessert, be very selective. Limit your sweets to small portions.

What about sampling several desserts, if you only take a tiny bite of each one? You have to know yourself. Some people can eat one bite of something and stop. I don't think most people can do that. If you know you're the type who can't stop at one bite, you're better off taking a small portion of a single dessert than piling your plate with several treats you plan to "try."

Bring Your Own Treats

Whether you're going to a friend's party or an office potluck, consider bringing a low-calorie treat that you know you'll enjoy. Bringing your own dessert will make the more fattening alternatives less tempting.

Limit 'Tastes' While Cooking

If you do a lot of cooking during the holidays, crack down on all those "tastes." "People lose their appetites when they've been cooking because they've been eating the whole time. Instead of tasting mindlessly every few minutes, limit yourself to two small bites of each item pre- and post-seasoning.

Walk It Off

Make a new holiday tradition: the family walk. Besides burning some extra calories, this will get everyone away from the food for awhile.

Go out for a walk as a family before or after the meal. Walking not only benefits you physically but also puts you in a mindset to be more careful about what you eat.